Slingshot



Aug. 27, 1963 J. R. MccoRMlcK SLINGSHOT Filed Feb. 19, 1962 INVENToR. James R /c/za/o Mc Co/m/c/f ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,101,704 SLhJGSHOT James Richard McCormick, RJR. 1, Allegati, Mich. Filed Feb. 19, 1962, Ser. No. 173,917 11 Claims. (Cl. 124-20) l'his invention relates to slingslots. The main objects of this invention are,

First, to provide `a Slingshot which is highly eiiicient land `at the same time structurally simple.

Second, to provide a slingshot formed of relatively few parts, the parts being -assembled so :as to minimize stresses tending to break the connections for the parts.

Objects relating to :details and economies of the invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is dened and pointed out in the claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. l is a perspective view of a Slingshot embodying my invention, hands `of a user being indicated by dotted lines.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view partially in section on a line corresponding to line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary View partially in section on a line corresponding `to line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of a ngerpiece and projectile holder.

lIt will be noted that the illustration of FIG. 1 illustrates -applicants slingshot as being used by a left handed person.y

The Slingshot embodying the tapplicants invention comprises a forked handle designated generally by the numeral 1 Iand comprising the grip portion 2 land upwardly projecting laterally spaced -arms 3 which have bores 4 therethrough, these bores being disposed adjacent but in downwardly spaced relation relative to vthe upper ends of the arms.

The elongated tubular elastic members 5 are disposed through the bores or holes 4 in the `arms 3 being a slidable iit therein, that is, the bores 4 `are of such dimensions that the ends of the elastic members may be inserted therethrough and project forwardly therefrom to receive the conical clutch or anchor members 6. The -taper and dimensions of these anchor or clutch members are such that ltheir inner ends project substantially into the bores 4 when the members 6 are inserted in the front end of the members 5, see FIG. 2, so that pulling stress on the members 5 results in compressing clutching engagement thereof with the forwardly facing beveled portion 7 of the bore 4. The taper angle of said bores is substantially that of said bevels.

In the desirable embodiment illust-rated,the member 6 has .an inwardly beveled outer end portion 8 with which the outer end 9 of the elastic member 5 is in clutching engagement. Desirably ad-hesive is applied to this surface 8 as indicated at 10 which prevents any stripping off as a result of the forward edge 11 being engaged with some object, not as a use, but in the matter of handling.

The 4combined fingerpiece yand projectile holder -12 is desirably formed of leather which has fan inner surface 13 with projecting filaments, as is illustrated conventionally in FIG. 3. This member 12 has holes `14 at the ends thereof through which the inner end portions 15' of the members 5 are inserted with the portions 15 collapsed, the collapsed portion being disposed in side by side relation at 16 and iixedly secured together by the strips 17 wound `around the same, the strips having adhesive 18 on'their innersides which bonds the strips to Vthe parts around which they are wrapped and also the convolutions of the strips are bonded together. The elastic tubular members 5 are thus connected to the 3,101,704 v'Patentetil Aug. 27, 1963 lCe ngerpiece and projectile holder. The tubular stretch- :able members 5 are connected both to the handle Iand to the finger-piece in a wholly effective manner and in a mannerwhich yminimizes tearing or rupturing stress on the elastic material.

I have illustrated and described my invention in a highly practical embodiment thereof. I have not attempted to illustrate modifications which might be desirable in the form yof the handpiece or in the ngerpiece and projectile holder, as it 4is believed -that vthis disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my invention as may be desired.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A slingshot :comprising a forked handle, the arms of which have `cylindrical bores therethrough Iadjacent but -spaced downwardly from their upper ends the forward ends of said'bores being beveled, a pair of -elongated tubular elastic members disposed through said bores with their ends projecting forwardly from said arms, conical clutch members disposed in the forwardly projecting ends of said tubular elastic members and having inner portions of less `diameter than the bores of said `arms and outer portions of substantial length of a diameter substantially exceeding'the diameter of the bores, the taper angle of said clutch members being substantially that of said bevels, said clutch members also having inwardly'beveled outer ends, the outer -ends of said tubular elastic members bein-g in overlapping clutching engagement with said beveled portions of said clutch members and being adhesively secured thereto, `a combined iingerpiece and projectile holder of flexible material having openings adjacent the ends thereof, the inner ends of said tubular elastic members being collapsed and looped through said openings with collapsed portions thereof in overlapping relation yat the ends of said iingerpiece yand projectile holder, Athe collapsed overlapping portions of said tubular members being clampingly secured together by strips of substantial width wrapped therearound.

2. A Slingshot comprising a forked handle, the `arms of which have cylindrical bores therethrough adjacent but spaced downwardly from their upper ends, the forward endsL of said bores being beveled, a pai-r of elongated tubular elastic members disposed through said bores with their ends projecting forwardly from said arms, conical clutch members disposed in the forwardly projecting ends of said tubular elastic members and having inner portions of less diameter than the bores of said `arms and outer portions of substantial length of a diameter substantially exceeding the diameter of the bores, the taper angle of said clutch members being substantially that of said bevels, the outer ends of said tubularelas-tic members being in overlapping clutching engagement with outer end portions of said clutch members, a combined iingerpiece and projectile holder of flexible material having openings adjacent the ends thereof, the inner ends of said tubular elastic members being collapsed and looped through said open-ings with collapsed portions thereof in overlapping relation at the ends of said kiingerpiece and projectile holder, the collapsed overlapping portions of said tubular members being clampingly secured together by strips of substantial width wrapped therearound.

3. A slingshop comprising a forked handle, the arms of which have cylindrical bores therethrough adjacent but spaced downwardly from their upper ends, the forward ends of said bores being beveled, `a pair of elongated tubular elastic members disposed through said bores with their ends projecting forwardly from said arms, conical clutch members disposed in the forwardly projecting ends of said tubular elastic members and having inner por- -tions of less diameter than the bores of said arms and outer portions of substantial length of a diameter substantially exceeding the diameter of the bores, the taper angle of said clutch members being substantially that of said bevels, the outer ends of said tubular elastic members Abeing in overlapping clutching engagement with outer end portions of said clutch members, a combined ngerpiece `and projectile holder of flexible material having openings adjacent the ends thereof, the inner ends of said tubular elastic members being collapsed and looped through said openings with collapsed portions thereof in overlapping relation at the ends of said fingerpiece and projectile holder, the collapsed overlapping portions of said tubular members being clampingly secured together by strips of substantial width wrapped therearound, the strips having adhesive on their inner sides whereby they are adhesively bonded to said overlapping portions `and the convolutions thereof are adhesively bonded together.

4. A Slingshot comprising a forked handle, the arms of which have cylindrical bores therethrough adjacent but spaced downwardly from their upper ends, a pair of elongated tubular elastic members disposed through said lbores with their ends projecting forwardly from said arms, conical clutch members disposed in the forwardly projecting ends of said tubular elastic members and having inner portions of less diameter than the bores of said arms and outer portions of substantial length of a diameter substantially exceeding the diameter of the bores, said clutch members also having inwardly beveled outer ends, the outer ends of said tubular elastic members being in overlapping contracting engagement with said beveled portions of said clutch members and being adhesively secured thereto, and a combined fingerpiece and projectile holder to which the inner en ds of said elastic members are fixedly connected.

5. A Slingshot comprising a forked handle, the arms of which have cylindrical bores therethrough adjacent but spaced downwardly from their upper ends, a pair of elongated tubular elastic members disposed through said bores with their ends projecting forwardly from said arms, conical clutch members disposed in the forwardly projecting ends of said tubular elastic members and having inner portions of less diameter than the bores of said arms projecting into said bores to clampingly engage said elastic members within said bores and outer portions of substantial length of a diameter substantially exceeding the diameter of the bores, and a combined ngerpiece and projectile holder to which the inner ends of said elastic members are fxedly connected.

6. A Slingshot comprising a forked handle, 'the arms of Which have cylindrical bores therethrough adjacent but spaced downwardly from their upper ends, a pair of elongated tubular elastic members disposed through said bores with their ends projecting forwardly from said arms, conical clutch members disposed in the forwardly projecting ends of said tubular elastic members and having inner end lportions of less diameter than the bores of said arms projecting into said bores to clampingly engage said elastic members within said bores and outer portions of substantial length of a diameter substantially exceeding the diameter of the bores, a combined lingerpiece and projectile holder of flexible material having openings adjacent the ends thereof, the inner ends of said elastic members being collapsed and looped through said openings with collapsed portions thereof in overlapping relation at the ends of said iingerpiece and projectile holder, the collapsed overlapping portions of said tubular members being clampingly secured together by strips of sub- Vstantial width wrapped therearound, the strips having adhesive on their inner sides whereby they are adhesively bonded to said overlapping portions and the convolutions thereof are adhesively bonded together.

7. A Slingshot comprising a forked handle, the arms of which have cylindrical bores therethrough adjacent but spaced downwardly from their upper ends, a pair of elongated tubular elastic members disposed through said bores with their ends projecting forwardly from said arms, conical clutch members disposed in the forwardly projecting ends of said tubular elastic members and having inner end portions of less diameter than Ithe bores of said arms projecting into said bores to clampingly engage said elastic members within said bores and outer portions of substantial length of a diameter substantially exceeding the diameter of the bores, a combined iingerpiece and projectile holder of flexible material having openings adjacent the ends thereof, the inner ends of said elastic members being collapsed and` looped through said openings with collapsed portions thereof in overlapping rela. tion at the ends of said ngerpiece and projectile holder, the collapsed overlapping portions of said tubular members being secured together by strips wrapped there-. around.

8. A Slingshot comprising a forked handle, the arms of which have ,cylindrical bores therethrough adjacent but spaced downwardly from their upper ends, a pair of elongated tubular elastic members disposed through said bores with their ends projecting forwardly from said arms, conical clutch members disposed in the forwardly projecting ends of said tubular elastic members and having inner end portions of less diameter than Ithe bores of said arms and outer portions of substantial length of a diameter substantially exceeding Ithe diameter of the bores, said clutch members also having inwardly beveled outer ends, the outer ends of said tubes being in overlapping clutching engagement with said beveled portions of said clutch members and being adhesively secured thereto, a combined iingerpiece and projectile holder of flexible material having openings adjacent the ends thereof, the inner ends of said elastic members being collapsed and looped through said openings with collapsed portions thereof in overlapping relation at the ends of said tingerpiece and projectile holder, the collapsed overlapping portions of said tubular members being secured together by strips wrapped therearound.

9. A Slingshot comprising a forked handle, the arms of which have cylindrical bores therethrough adjacent but spaced ldownwardly from their upper ends, said bores having beveled outer end portions, a pair of elongated tubular elastic members the forward ends of which are disposed through said bores in forwardly projecting relation to said arms, `conical anchoring members disposed in the outer ends of said tubular members and having inner end portions of less diameter than the said beveled ends of said bores of said arms and outer portions of substantial length substantially exceeding the diameter of said bores, a combined iingerpiece and projectile holder of flexible material connected to the inner ends of said elastic members, said holder having a nap-like inner surface.

l0. A Slingshot comprising a forked handle, the arms of which have cylindrical bores therethrough adjacent but spaced downwardly from their upper ends, said bores having beveled outer end portions, a pair-of elongated tubular elastic members the forward ends of which are disposed through said bores in forwardly projecting relation to said arms, conical anchoring members disposed in the outer ends of said tubular members `and having inner end portions of less diameter than the said lbeveled ends of said bores of said arms and outer portions of substantial 4length substantially exceeding the diameter of said bores, and -a combined fingerpiece and projectile holder otf flexible material connected to the inner ends of said elastic members.

ll. A Slingshot comprising a forked handle, the arms of ywhich have cylindrical bores therethrough adjacent but spaced downwardly from their upper ends, a pair of elongated tubular elastic members the forward ends of which are disposed through said bores and secured to said arms, a combined fingerpiece and projectile holder of flexible material having a nap-like inner surface and having openings adjacent the ends thereof, the inner ends of said elastic members being disposed through said openings and collapsed, and clamps being collapsed and disposed through said openings with collapsed portions thereof in overlapping condition forwardly of the ends o-f Ithe iingerpiece and projectile holder and the overlapping ends clamped together by strips having adhesive on their inner sides whereby they are adhesively secured to said References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS McIntosh 1 Mar. 29, -1960 Appleby Aug. 15, 1961 

1. A SLINGSHOT COMPRISING A FORKED HANDLE, THE ARMS OF WHICH HAVE CYLINDRICAL BORES THERETHROUGH ADJACENT BUT SPACED DOWNWARDLY FROM THEIR UPPER ENDS THE FORWARD ENDS OF SAID BORES BEING BEVELED, A PAIR OF ELONGATED TUBULAR ELASTIC MEMBERS DISPOSED THROUGH SAID BORES WITH THEIR ENDS PROJECTING FORWARDLY FROM SAID ARMS, CONICAL CLUTCH MEMBERS DISPOSED IN THE FORWARDLY PROJECTING ENDS OF SAID TUBULAR ELASTIC MEMBERS AND HAVING INNER PORTIONS OF LESS DIAMETER THAN THE BORES OF SAID ARMS AND OUTER PORTIONS OF SUBSTANTIAL LENGTH OF A DIAMETER SUBSTANTIALLY EXCEEDING THE DIAMETER OF THE BORES, THE TAPER ANGLE OF SAID CLUTCH MEMBERS BEING SUBSTANTIALLY THAT OF SAID BEVELS, SAID CLUTCH MEMBERS ALSO HAVING INWARDLY BEVELED OUTER ENDS, THE OUTER ENDS OF SAID TUBULAR ELASTIC MEMBERS BEING IN OVERLAPPING CLUTCHING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID BEVELED PORTIONS OF SAID CLUTCH MEMBERS AND BEING ADHESIVELY SECURED THERETO, A COMBINED FINGERPIECE AND PROJECTILE HOLDER OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL HAVING OPENINGS ADJACENT THE ENDS THEREOF, THE INNER ENDS OF SAID TUBULAR ELASTIC MEMBERS BEING COLLAPSED AND LOOPED THROUGH SAID OPENINGS WITH COLLAPSED PORTIONS THEREOF IN OVERLAPPING RELATION AT THE ENDS OF SAID FINGERPIECE AND PROJECTILE HOLDER, THE COLLAPSED OVERLAPPING PORTIONS OF SAID TUBULAR MEMBERS BEING CLAMPINGLY SECURED TOGETHER BY STRIPS OF SUBSTANTIAL WIDTH WRAPPED THEREAROUND. 